Table of contents for 008 Jan/Feb 2023 in RV TODAY

RVing can be a great time, and a great way to make memories. But whether you RV part time or full time, emergencies can arise, and being prepared for those emergencies will help you remain calm so you can get through them. We travel full time, and we always try to stay prepared, because responding to a crisis on the road can be vastly different than responding to a crisis in an area you know well. CONTACT INFORMATION It’s important to keep emergency contact information in an obvious place. Most modern cell phones have this feature built in, but we like to keep a physical copy on our refrigerator as well in case something happens to our phones. We also want to make sure authorities will realize we’re staying in…

Whether you’re upgrading or just starting out, one of the main decisions you’ll need to make when shopping for an RV is whether you want to buy new or used. There are passionate arguments on both sides of this debate, so let’s look at some pros and cons. Buying NEW PRO: The biggest benefit of buying new is being the first owner. No one has had a chance to alter or damage the RV, and you know every detail about it from day one. RVs straight from the factory have the manufacturer’s engineering and parts, and a manufacturer’s warranty in case something isn’t quite right. Minor defects can happen, but they are typically corrected through the warranty. Another benefit of buying a new RV is the ability to customize it to…

1 GULF COAST, ALABAMA The Gulf Coast area has enough activities to make everyone in the family happy, from great food and shopping to Gulf State Park and miles of sandy beach, nature trails, and freshwater and saltwater swimming. If you’re more of a shopper or foodie, the Retreat is close to many shopping outlets, grocery stores, and restaurants. You don’t want to miss some of the area’s best events, like the Gulf Shores National Shrimp Festival or the Annual Oyster Cook-Off! 2 KACHEMAK BAY STATE PARK, ALASKA Just a short boat ride across the bay from Homer, Alaska, is Kachemak Bay State Park, containing 400,000 acres of mountains, glaciers, and wild Alaskan scenery. The most popular hike in the park goes to Grewingk Glacier, and you can bring your…

RVers are no strangers to unusual challenges, and we take pride in our problem-solving skills. RVers with disabilities often have to figure out all sorts of travel hacks and logistical solutions for even more unique challenges. We’ve gathered tips and tricks from RV travelers with disabilities to help anyone facing similar challenges who may be looking for inspiration or advice for their own travels. “The memories are everything.” NATASHA BOLING Natasha Boling travels with her husband, Shane, and three children, all of whom require some kind of special care for their conditions, which include cystic fibrosis, Escobar syndrome, microcephaly, and cerebral palsy. The Boling family travels with a collection of special medications as well as essential medical equipment that requires electricity. Along with that, their RV has specific adaptations that…

Stay connected with fellow RVers at these 2023 events FEBRUARY Richmond RV Show February 3–5 Richmond, VA Florida Vanlife Gathering February 3–5 Dale City, FL Edmonton RV Expo and Sale February 9–12 Edmonton, AB, Canada MARCH Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show March 2–5 Toronto, ON, Canada Montreal RV Show March 2–5 Montreal, QC, Canada FMCA’s 106th International Convention and RV Show March 15–18 Perry, GA APRIL Florida Airstream Club Silver Between the Lakes Rally April 13–17 Lake Wales, FL RVing Women Texas Ramblin’ Roses April 21–23 Junction, TX Spring Hall of Fame RV Show April 27–30 Elkhart, IN MAY CA Oroville Cinco De Mayo Rally 2023 May 5–7 Oroville, CA 2023 Rally @Sea North to Alaska! May 14–21 Seattle, WA 2023 Grand Design RV Owners Kanab Utah Rally May…

“Being able to open our door to the great outdoors is an unmatched feeling!”@dakotagatien “We have no interest in settling down before seeing as many beautiful places as we can.”@skouting.about “Being rolling nomads has been a true pleasure, great challenge, comprehensive project, roller coaster ride, and amazing adventure!” “RVing gives us the sense of feeling at home while traveling on the road!”@roamingwiththereynolds “Exploring places, meeting people, learning about the world, finding ways to live off minimal resources, and minimizing our footprint are why we live nomadically.”@milesandlala We want to hear from you – Share what makes you a happy camper by sending an email to collab@rvtoday.com…

My husband, Herb, and I have renovated 13 homes together and sold each of them. They were always stepping stones to buy something bigger and better, as well as an opportunity to try out new styles—each of our properties was sold fully furnished. We had worked so hard, but we knew we were missing something, and we eventually decided to downsize. We went from a four-bedroom house to a three-bedroom apartment, and then to what we thought was our dream one-bedroom apartment. In 2020, COVID put our early retirement plans on the back burner, so we were looking for a new project. I fell in love with a vintage caravan online, and a few months later, we purchased a caravan of our own. The plan was a quick three-month flip,…

Attractions Campgrounds Information COST Up to $30/night 31-$60/night $61+ /night Want to recommend a place to see and/or stay? Visit rvtoday.com/work-with-us and click the Campground or Attractions form to share your favorite road trip spots! FAST FACTS Full Hookups Big Rig Friendly Family Friendly Pet-friendly Pool  Wi-Fi Pacific Attraction ALCATRAZ ISLAND Alcatraz Island is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and a stop here shouldn’t be missed. This tiny historic island boasts a complex history—it’s been home to a fort, a military prison, a maximum security federal prison, and an American Indian occupation. @soulofaseeker “Alcatraz Island provides a powerful opportunity to encourage visitors to contemplate their personal views on crime and punishment, the judicial system, national defense, and freedom.”–The National Park Service Attraction GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE Take a…

If you haven’t RVed south of the United States border, Puerto Penasco is a great destination to test the waters. It’s located in the state of Sonora, Mexico, and it overlooks the Sea of Cortez. During our two-month stay, we were spoiled with warm, sunny days and cool nights, with minimal rain. We loved our time in Puerto Penasco. GETTING THERE Baja California is a popular choice for RVers who have decided to foray into Mexico, but we chose Puerto Penasco (also known as Rocky Point or “Arizona’s Beach”) because the drive is manageable and the border crossing is easy to maneuver in a big rig without the weird bumps, dips, and curves we saw with other border access roads. With our car in tow, we drove our motorhome into…

Built in France between 1923 and 1925, Carling Home Number Two was the second of four RVs built personally by Charles Louvet during the 1920s and ’30s. It was probably the first ever coach-built motorhome with its engine incorporated inside the frame. To keep his RVs light, Louvet used aircraft-inspired construction techniques, like fabric exteriors, timber frames, and portholes. Louvet would display his RVs on the streets of Nice in southern France, charging an entry fee to fund his future projects. His family often had to sit in a nearby cafe until late at night waiting until the last of the paying visitors had gone before they could go to bed in this unusual family RV. This is one of more than 300 images featured in Andrew Woodmansey’s new book,…